Have you ever been asked some variation of: “What do you do in your free time?” or “Tell me about yourself”, and been totally stumped? You’re either so caught up with work or life stressors that carving time out of your days for time to yourself seems like just another task to add to your already never-ending to-do list. Where mindlessly scrolling social media has seemed like the only respite after a long week, many of us have neglected our mental health and, by extension, our sense of self.
Hobbies. You may have been forced into some as a child in the form of extracurriculars. As an adult, those interests outside of school and work have likely fallen to the wayside. However, I’m here to convince you to pick them back up! You may have heard it before, but hobbies are a very valuable addition to your brain health and overall quality of life. A 2023 study found that having hobbies was associated with fewer depressive symptoms. Aside from a mood boost, hobbies can make you smarter. Having interests outside of work or school helps develop self-learning skills, such as critical thinking and communication. Amid the current loneliness crisis, engaging in hobbies can foster a sense of community with others who share similar interests as well as help develop social skills. Ultimately, pursuing hobbies is an investment in yourself.
How To Choose the Right Hobby for You
It’s long been debated what exactly constitutes a hobby. Certain leisure activities have been looked down upon because they seemingly have no external benefit. Some people even dismiss anything that involves media consumption as a real hobby. However, anything that serves you mentally can be considered a hobby, whether that be reading books, collecting art or vinyls, playing video games, or even watching movies.
We all have interests and personality traits that can inspire our hobbies. For example, I journal and scrapbook. As someone who tends to be sentimental and enjoys having physical keepsakes that capture memories and interests, it’s a fun way to express myself. If that describes you, you may want to go down that path! A popular trend on TikTok and YouTube is “Junk Journaling,” which involves using old “junk”, such as receipts, birthday cards, and train tickets, and repurposing them for your journal! This way you don’t need to buy new scrapbooking supplies and use what you already have.
If that doesn’t appeal to you, take some time to evaluate what your interests are. Do you enjoy art? Take up painting or drawing! Do you like to be on your feet? Join a dance class! Do you like sweets? Experiment with baking! Maybe you’re interested in horticulture. Why not start a garden? Don’t feel pressured to choose a “productive hobby” or something you’re already skilled at. Once you relieve yourself from the pressure of productivity, finding a hobby that fits with you and your lifestyle will be much easier.
Don’t Pressure Yourself Into Monetization
“How to Turn Your Hobby Into a Side Hustle” is an alluring idea once you’ve found a hobby you actually enjoy, but it’s definitely something to think over before diving into it. The rise of “hustle culture” has ingrained in us that we must constantly work toward something. But sometimes it’s perfectly fine to simply enjoy your hobby for leisure and happiness. Monetizing your hobbies increases the stress of perfecting them, which can detract from the joy they could bring you. Don’t make your hobby feel like another job.
Sticking With Your Hobby (And Not Giving up When You Aren’t Immediately Good at It)
Finding the motivation to engage in an activity you don’t believe you’re good at can be very difficult. It can lead to avoidance and a lack of confidence. However, when you are starting something new, it’s important to remember everyone started somewhere, so trust the process, because the skill comes with time.
If you’re still feeling discouraged, you can always incorporate something you’re already good at with what you want to improve. For example, if you appreciate art and don’t consider yourself an artist but rather a decent writer, start an art commentary/criticism blog! You can make any hobby work for you through trial and error. If you find that you don’t enjoy a new hobby, remember that you can always explore different options and broaden your horizons. You shouldn’t stick with anything that doesn’t resonate with you. The effort you put in is still a significant step forward.
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